Happy Friday! How can it be that we’re very nearly through the month of January? And if our math is correct (which we’re pretty sure it is), today is Day 91, which means we’re halfway through the entire school year! It’s amazing how the time flies by, but it certainly makes sense when you look around and see all the exciting things happening here at Bowen. Everyone is working hard at learning and growing each and every day, and we know that there are great things planned for the second half of the year. Just wait and see! Thank you for everything you do to help your child and to make Bowen a great community. Have a wonderful weekend!

Yours truly,

Diana & Tiffany

News You Need to Know

Early Release Next Wednesday!

Don’t forget...Wednesday, February 1st is an early release day! School will be dismissed at 12:30 p.m. on that day.

School-Wide Assembly Recap

This morning, our entire school gathered in the gym during Community Block for our monthly(ish) assembly! Our 4th graders planned and hosted the event, using their study of immigration as a focus. We saw six immigrants “arrive” in the United States through Ellis Island, while the rest of the students displayed their culture posters. They finished by creating a “cultural salad” that used the culture cards made by every student in the school to show how much diversity we have here at Bowen, and how we all bring something distinct and important to the community. We love it when we can all gather as a school!

Newton Community Forum - Talking with Children About Race

Over the past few years, the Newton Public Schools have undertaken the important work of addressing issues of race, bias, and culture. In order to extend the work in the classrooms to the home and larger Newton community, Superintendent of Schools David Fleishman invites you to a community forum: “Talking to Children About Race: Why and How?” to be held on Wednesday, March 22nd at 7:00 p.m. at Angier School (1697 Beacon Street). While an RSVP is not required, it will help to plan for materials and activities. You can use the following link to RSVP: https://goo.gl/forms/eDB56M2MEcUz7aUX2 We hope to see you there!

Responsive Home Workshops

Mark your calendars! Please join other Newton parents for a workshop to focus on how parents and guardians can use Responsive Classroom practices at home. Responsive Classroom is an approach to teaching and learning that is centered on the foundation that a social curriculum is just as important as the academic curriculum. An important goal of Responsive Classroom is to create a school climate that is kind, safe, respectful, and predictable. Amy Kelly, District Leader of Social & Emotional Learning, will discuss ways that families can use the same language and practices of Responsive Classroom to create a cohesive, unified experience for children, as well as to tackle common home-life challenges.

There are four sessions to choose from:

Tuesday, January 31st (6:30 - 8:30 p.m.) @ Williams Elementary School

Wednesday, March 1st (6:30 - 8:30 p.m.)

Wednesday, April 12th (6:30 - 8:30 p.m.)

Thursday, May 11th (6:30 - 8:30 p.m.)

Sessions will be held in Room 210 at the District Education Center, 100 Walnut Street, in Newton unless otherwise stated.No registration is required, and all sessions are open to the public. We are looking forward to these workshops and the opportunity to work closely with families to support our children!

GELF Benefit Dinner

Newton’s study abroad scholarship program, the Jennifer Price Global Education Leadership Fund (GELF) is turning nine! Join other members of the Newton community for an evening of food and fun in support of a great cause that helps Newton students. Since its inception, GELF has funded more than 160 students for international travel and given away more than $240,000 in scholarships. This year’s GELF Benefit Dinner will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 1st at Newton North High School. Reserve your seat online at http://www.newton.k12.ma.us/Page/2289 or by sending a check for $150 (made payable to Newton Schools Foundation) to Newton Schools Foundation, P.O. Box 590020, Newton, MA 02459. It will be a great night!

Incoming Kindergarten Registration

We are currently scheduling kindergarten screening/registration appointments for children entering kindergarten in September of 2017. Appointments will take approximately one hour and will be held during the mornings of March 6, March 7 and March 9. Please call Ms. Megrian in the Bowen School office to schedule your child’s appointment on one of the dates listed above.

Reminder: Kindergarten Information Nights for Parents & Guardians will be held on February 6, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. at Newton North High School and on February 8, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. at Newton South High School.

For additional information, please check out the Kindergarten Registration website at <http://www.newton.k12.ma.us/Page/2912> For your convenience, an Informational Kindergarten Flyer is attached as well as a FAQ sheet. Kindergarten FlyerFAQ Sheet Please let us know if your family would like an informational flyer in a language other
than English.

Wednesday, 3/22 - Newton Community Forum: “Talking to Children About Race: Why and

How?” at Angier Elementary School (7:00 p.m.)

Friday, 3/24 - Bowen International Potluck Dinner

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